Art21 - Art in the 21st Century Season 4 Episode 4 Paradox

In season 4 episode 4 of Art21 - Art in the 21st Century, named "Paradox," the focus is on artists whose work presents contradictions and puzzles. The episode begins with a visit to the studio of Mark Bradford, who creates large-scale mixed media collages that explore issues of race, class, and gender amidst urban decay. Bradford's work challenges viewers to engage with the complex layers of meaning within his pieces. Another featured artist is Robert Ryman, who works in a seemingly simple visual language consisting of white paint on white surfaces. However, upon closer inspection, his work reveals a richness of texture and tonality that defies easy categorization.

Next, the episode turns to the work of Roni Horn, whose sculptures and installations use repetition and variation to explore ideas of identity and perception. Whether in the form of identical cast glass cubes or subtly different drawings of a single woman's face, Horn's work plays with the viewer's sense of familiarity and recognition. The final artist featured in this episode is Catherine Sullivan, who uses film and performance to explore ideas of power and control. In particular, her work often takes on the formal structure of a play or a movie, but subverts those structures to reveal the complexities and contradictions of human behavior.

Throughout the episode, viewers are invited to contemplate the ways in which art can present paradoxes and contradictions, and the ways in which those paradoxes can push us to question our assumptions and see the world in new ways. By showcasing the work of artists who challenge viewers to engage with difficult questions and themes, "Paradox" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the power of art to shape our understanding of the world around us.